Services:Dedication to Special Education’s mission is to improve the quality of special education in Marin County, while connecting families for a stronger community. It is a community partnership where parents, educators, and the wider community work together on behalf of the special education students in Marin. Dedication to Special Education works in partnership with the Marin County Office of Education, their fiscal and legal sponsor.

Services:Matrix Parent Network and Resource Center is a parent-founded, parent-operated nonprofit organization founded in 1983. Matrix provides both direct services to families and support services to other federally funded parent centers. All of their services are free, supported through grants, contracts, donations, and fundraising activities

Services:Parents Helping Parents helps children and adults with special needs receive the support and services they need to reach their full potential by providing information, training, and resources to build strong families and improve systems of care.

Services:Support for Families of Children with Disabilities is a parent-run San Francisco-based nonprofit organization. The purpose of Support for Families is to ensure that families of children with any kind of disability or special health care need, and the providers who serve them, have the knowledge and support to make informed choices that enhance the children’s development and well-being.

Association Resources

Services:The Autism Society of America has been improving the lives of all affected by autism for over 50 years and envisions a world where individuals and families living with autism are able to maximize their quality of life, are treated with the highest level of dignity, and live in a society in which their talents and skills are appreciated and valued. The Autism Society of America provides advocacy, information, referral, support, and community at national, state, and local levels through our strong nationwide network of Affiliates.

Services:Autism Society of SF Bay Area is a grassroots volunteer run non-profit organization of parents, family members, friends, and professionals working together to build a stronger and more connected influential Bay Area autism community.

Services:Alameda County Public Health Department works in partnership with the community to ensure the optimal health and well-being of all people through a dynamic and responsive process respecting the diversity of the community and challenging them to provide for present and future generations.

Services:Arc services support a community life that is independent, healthy, and engaged through Residential, Health & Wellness, and Seniors Services.

Program:Program participants can choose a single path or Program (Adult Life & Skills Employment Development, Careers & Advancement), or a combination that works best for his or her life path and goals.

Services:The Golden Gate Regional Center provides diagnoses and assessments of eligibility to help plan, access, and coordinate and monitor the services and supports that are needed because of a developmental disability.

Services: San Andreas Regional Center is a community-based, private nonprofit cooperation funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Act is part of California law that sets out the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities. San Andreas provides diagnostic and prevention services to help ameliorate developmental disabilities.

Day Program Resources

Services:Abilities United advances advocacy, inclusion, and independence for people with developmental disabilities.

Day Activities Program:Assists individuals with developmental or other disabilities to fully participate in their community through employment, educational, recreational, social, and volunteer activities.

Independent Living Skills Program:Work one-to-one with independent Living Skills Coach to learn the additional daily living skills needed to be independent as possible.

Employment Services Program:Catered towards adults with and without disabilities who are looking for employment.

Services:Community Life Services is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Santa Cruz County using a holistic approach to serve people with disabilities in the Santa Cruz County Community.

Supported Employment Program:Based on the individual’s assessment, this program will provide the necessary assistance to seek, interview, enter, and maintain competitive employment with support from a job coach.

Tailored Day Service Program:Program designed to support individual’s life choices and goals. These customized service supports the following activities: community integration and inclusion, development of opportunities for employment, volunteer activities, and pursuit of postsecondary education.

Supported Living Program:Provide necessary support for people to live an active and integrated life that is truly their own.

Chunguza Community Based Adult Day Program:Offers opportunities for consumers to develop and enhance their academic and pre-vocational capabilities through microenterprises, service learning, and volunteer positions. 1:3 ration and can serve 45 consumers.

Custom Care Adult Day Program:Program is designed to meet the complex needs of consumers who do not fit into traditional day programming. Custom Care can develop a “made to order” continuum of culturally relevant activities that support consumers on having fun, thriving, and maximizing their potential. Can serve 25 consumers.

Specialized Community Based Adult Day Program:A specialized behavioral management day program, that unifies a community of interested partners in pulling together support participants as they maximize their potential and abilities to enjoy themselves in inclusive culturally sensitive environments. 1:2 ratio and can serve 30 participants.

Services:Kainos Home and Training Center offers holistic services ranging from Residential Services, Day Programs, and Supported Living Skills Services. The services and program have been specifically developed to teach self-sufficiency and independence. Kainos is focused on the individual consumer, person centered planning, and developing individualized goals for consumers.

Services:The Morgan Autism Adult Program emphasizes improving the independent living and vocational skills of its participants. Adult clients are closely supervised working in small groups of 2 to 3 with trained staff. The Adult Day Program model follows tailored tasks and vocational work that fits appropriately for its participants. Vocational training includes: computer skills, office skills, bulk mail preparation, assembly, and garden and farm work.

Services:Provide responsive, progressive, and dynamic programs to empower individuals with Intellectual Disabilities to realize their dreams of optimal independence, meaningful employment, significant social relationships, and full participation in the community.

Programs:Life Skills Program: Utilize a person-centered approach to help members learn thenecessary skills to manage everyday tasks and responsibilities.

Employment Programs:Designated to simulate a real workplace, the training programs include everything needed to effectively pursue and maintain employment and are taught in a safe and controlled environment.

Adult Day Services On Center:Participants are encouraged to establish goals and continue to enrich their life through One Center’s learning approach where staff will work collaboratively with the participant, participant’s family, and any other support to decide what is important.

Respite Care Services:Weekend overnight respite care and a Saturday respite program is available for ages 5 and up. The programs provide a wide range of recreation activities while giving families and caretakers and persons with a disability time to rejuvenate and rest.

Vocational Services:Explore career interests and have access to all appropriate services and support employment and volunteer work which include training, resume preparation, job search support, peer counseling, one-the-job coaching, and more.

Services:Teri Campus Life is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) California Corporation. TERI specializes in serving individuals who have needs which cannot be met by other existing programs. This includes services to persons who have autism, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, brain trauma, severe behavioral disorders, dual diagnoses, and learning disabilities.

Disability Services Resources

Services:The Disability Resource Center facilitates equal access to an education for all students who have disabilities (permanent or temporary) by providing academic adjustments, counseling, and support services in accordance with State and Federal Law.

Services:The Disability Resource Center at Foothill College offers courses and services on campus and in the community designed to help students with disabilities. Foothill’s mission is to provide equal access for students with disabilities to the college’s educational programs and to improve the quality of lives for persons with disabilities in the community.

Services:The mission of CDSA is to advocate for and strengthen member organizations and to ensure public and government support of services for persons with disabilities. Services include: independent/supported living, behavior management, transportation, residential, respite, day programs, and supported employment.

Services:The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) administers the largest vocational rehabilitation program in the country. The DOR provides services and advocates to assist people with disabilities to live independently, become employed, and have the equality in the communities in which they live and work. DOR provides consultation, counseling, and vocational rehabilitation, and works with community partners to assist the served consumers.

Services:The State Council on Developmental Disability ensures that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the planning, design, and receipt of the services and supports they need which promote increased independence, productivity, inclusion, and self-determination. By providing these services, regional offices ensure the appropriate laws, regulations and policies pertaining to the rights of individuals are observed and protected.

Community Living/Housing Support/Residential/Supported Living Resources

Services:The Big Wave Project is dedicated to creating an inclusive and interactive community of people and businesses to provide a purposeful and independent life for individuals with developmental disabilities through affordable housing, meaningful employment, and a supportive community.

Services:California Supported Living Network is a supported living service for people with developmental disabilities. It is a united group of service providers, consumers, families, and members of the community who give support to those with disabilities.

Services:Life Services Alternatives was founded by parents who had a dream of establishing homes for their adult children with special needs in Santa Clara County.

Program:Life Services Alternatives has 24 hours a day care to support adults with special needs. Life Services Alternatives has personalized programs focused on skill-building to make a difference in the equality of the residents lives in order to enable them to reach their full potential. Programs include: in-home day, outside-the-home, vocational training, and personal development.

Services:Living Unlimited is a nonprofit charity with an IRS 501 (c)(3) exemption. Living Unlimited assists families in creating communities which will provide a high quality of life, stable, and secure housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Programs:Living Unlimited housing promotes 3 community model types.

Intentional:A single integrated site (usually rural) with plenty of homes, land, and onsite shared amenities.

Clustered:Single family homes near each other (primarily suburban). Can be gradually created one house at a time. Easy to finance. Amenities shared among all properties.

Multi-Units:Apartments (usually in an urban setting) with easy access to city amenities. Easier to finance than many realize. Rents of neurotypical residents supplement ID/DD resident’s rent.

Services:Meristem is a 3-year residential program that serves young adults on the autism spectrum by helping them develop practical life skills, increase social capacity, and transition to work and independence. A special emphasis is placed on preparing students for entry into the workforce or pursuing higher education.

Program:Meristem’s program is personalized for each student with the aim of fostering self reliance. The program includes: transformative movement, digital media, culinary arts and nutrition, ceramics, work skills, sustainable agriculture, carpentry, and woodwork, independent living skills, farm and animal care, textiles, jewelry, metal work, filmmaking and photography.

Services:PANDH SF is a collaboration of families, nonprofits, and businesses working to create inclusive community housing and programs to support the growing population of San Franciscans with cognitive and developmental differences. This mission is to call on government, developers, and advocacy groups to work together to find viable answers to the current housing crisis affecting the most severely disabled.

Services:Sunflower Hill is a residential community designed for 44 individuals with developmental disabilities. Sunflower Hill is a model for special needs living and vocational options in the Bay Area that ensures quality of life, individual choice, and an “intentional community” embraced by the larger neighborhood/city/region.

Services:Sweetwater Spectrum is a nonprofit organization dedicating to exploring, building, and evaluating an innovative housing model for adults with autism. Their model includes an enrichment program intended to foster both individual choice and community engagement to prove a “life with purpose.” Sweetwater embraces residents on the full spectrum of autism and support all financial capabilities.

Vocational Resources

Services:An urban farm that offers a meaningful place for people with and without developmental disabilities to work volunteer and socialize.

Program:Work on a community farm which offers farming skills training, employment, volunteer work, and recreation on a four-acre organic farm. Costanoa Common’s vision is to have a sustainable social enterprise, where farm products are sold to local chefs and restaurants, at their farm stand, and contribute to local food banks.

Services:Gatepath expands opportunities for adults with special needs and disabilities to reach their greatest potential and become successful and productive members of the community.

Employment Services:Individual placement-support with developing a resume, interviewing, and placement for competitive employment opportunities with help of a job coach.

Group Placement:Prepares individuals for competitive full time and part time opportunities in a business settling with 3 to 4 individuals and ongoing support of a job coach.

Community Access Pre-Vocational:Community access provides individuals with rich learning experiences in the community whether the participant is interested in employment or social engagement. Average ratio of 1 staff to 4 participants. The program focuses on developing skills for active living and employment in the community.

Vocational Education Program:The Vocational Education program provides students with practical skills to prepare them for independent living, college, or a meaningful career. The program combines life skills, career skills, and technology in a unique and innovative environment. Each student has an individual plan including goals such as learning independent skills or utilizing assistive technology tools in an inclusive environment.